Pilot on historic mission stops in Houston

Saturday, June 23, 2007

(6/23/07 - KTRK/HOUSTON) (KTRK) -- It was history in the making at Hobby Airport Saturday. A 23-year-old man is trying to become the youngest African-American pilot to fly around the world. On Saturday, he made a pit stop in Houston on the final leg of this historic flight.

Barrignton Irving says he didn't have much growing up in the inner city of Miami, Florida. He says he set out to accomplish this historic flight to let kids all over world know whatever their goals and dreams are, the sky's the limit.

From the skies above the Air Terminal Museum at Hobby Airport Saturday, he came down in a ray of hope. In his custom made, state of the art, single-engine airplane he appropriately named Inspiration, Irving began his descent on the final leg of his trip around the globe.

Irving was supposed to arrive in April, but bad weather delayed his trip. Once on the ground, Irving gave a wave to a crowd of mostly kids from the aviation schools. After a quick break, he took pictures and shook hands with the students who were waiting anxiously to get a glimpse of this man making history.

"Instead of seeing it on TV, you actually get to see him get off the plane," said 12th grader Keyia Thomas. "It's amazing to me."

It's taken Irving three months to get this far on his trip. He's traveled over 21,000 nautical miles and his trip is still not over. Barrington still has two stops to go before reaching his goal, but wanted to make sure these students heard his message -- don't give up on your goals.

"I started off with nothing and worked hard at it and was able to accomplish one of my goals in aviation," said Irving. "So can any other student. They can do above and beyond what I did."

Though he admits the trip hasn't been easy.

"There were times I was very frustrated and had an opportunity to go on the website and see who I was encouraging, really encouraged me my own self," he added.

The website Irving is talking about is ExperienceAviation.com. On that site, you can track his flight and learn a little bit more about his mission. When he completes this flight, which is scheduled to happen on Wednesday, he will be the youngest African-American pilot to fly solo around the world.

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